2
INSIDE ROCHESTER
Understanding the Damaging Impact of the Standardized Testing Process (Part 2
In my humble, but informed view, as a retired, 23-year veteran classroom teacher, and as a parent and community activist --- I agree that for the most part, all of the criticisms outlined in part 1 of this essay are valid. Yet, there are even deeper issues and problems than those HOWARD reviously EAGLE plisted, especially where our most academically challenging, urban students (the vast majority of whom are students of color, particularly African Americans and Latinos) are concerned. As it relates to helpful knowledge regarding the broad implications of standardized testing, as well as specific issues and problems, which widely and negatively impact urban students and teachers --- some of the most important factors are as follows. It is important for us to be very clear about the fact that, in essence, in its most basic form, standardized testing is a multibillion dollar industry, which (like all multibillion dollar industries) is connected in various ways to powerful people, including politicians, i.e., via lobbying and campaign contributions for example. The testing industry
JUNE 6, 2012
Urban League to Host 33rd around town *Magnificent Africa: The Annual Salute to Black Magnificent Africa exhibit is now on display at the Baobab Scholars Celebration Cultural Center, 728 University Avenue, Rochester. DisOn June 12, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., the Urban League of Rochester will be hosting the 33rd Annual Salute to Black Scholars Recognition Dinner. This important event recognizes the hard work and determination of African American students that have excelled in education, receiving a B average or higher for seven consecutive semesters. With roots in Rochester, the Black Scholars program has a lot to be proud of. Under local direction this amazing program has been taken on by many Urban League affiliates across the nation. Proof of our program success has been apparent throughout the years. The statistics that come out of the Black Scholars program are much more than a slate of numbers. They show determination, accomplishment, and honor for thousands of young African American students. They signify 33 years of success, 8,000 graduates, 60 participating schools in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties and $2.5 million annually, in scholarships, grants, financial aid, and awards to deserving scholars. This essential program continues to flourish and help hundreds of youth every year. The Urban League of Rochester would like to invite you to come celebrate with us and learn more about the amazing programs we have to offer. Tickets for adults are $50 and children under 12 are $15. If you are interested in attending the dinner or learning how to give back to the Black Scholars program please contact the Urban League of Rochester at (585)325-6530.
is composed of stockholders, and of course is also connected to unions --- in the sense that workers who provide the necessary labor (in factories or publishing houses) to produce the final product are unionized. With regard to the prospect of reforming the standardized testing process, undoubtedly some type of written assess-
ment tools (tests) will remain in tact. So, obviously no one is seriously contemplating total elimination of the testing industry. Yet, anyone who is paying close attention knows that some degree of change is much-needed. Of course under the U.S. capitalist economic system, in which education represents a key institution, monetary interests and profits will always influence any type of fundamental, institutional change, and/or the lack thereof (no matter how large or small). As it relates to the economics of education, the testing industry represents one of the most lucrative and most powerful arenas, and we know that those who are reaping the profits will not just give them up easily. Resistance to change is inevitable, and if widespread, fundamental change is going to occur --- indeed if any degree of fundamental change is going to occur --- a political fight is probably unavoidable, and will help to determine (decisively) who is and is not really serious about helping to produce the change that so many claim to support and want. Are You Registered to VOTE?
played through May, 2012. Terry Chaka is gallery manager. For more information (585)563-2145. *Genesee Crossroads District Boy Scouts of America Troop 46 and Pack 46 on going recruitment every Tuesday at 6 p.m., Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street; call Cherly Lattimore for more info at 585-232-6742. *Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip Tour, Thursday June 28, with Faizon Love/Feeze Lu, 7:30 Auditorium Theatre, downtown Rochester. Tickets @ Mad Flavors, 185 Lyell Ave Rochester and Doris Records, 286 E. Ferry Buffalo; Ticketmaster.com 1.800.745.3000
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
ChallengerCN.com
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
WNY AREA BRIEFS Freedom Party Alive and Well! Next Meeting June 9
LaShawn Chinn
LaShawn Chinn Receives EOC Arthur O. Eve, Jr. Award EOC alumnae LaShawn Chinn received the Arthur O. Eve, Jr. Award for her community service during EOC commencement exercises held at UB last month. Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield Jr. and Director of the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC) Colleen Cummings, were also honored at the commencemen. Commissioner Whitfield received the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Ms. Cummings was recognized with the “Friend of EOC Award.” The audience, comprised of graduates from the GED, English as a Second Language (ESL), Allied Health, and Information Technology programs, were challenged by a host of speakers, to overcome challenges and become life-long learners. A number of student recognitions were handed out.
The recent organizational meeting for the Freedom Party was recently held at the 2nd Cup Restaurant. A review of the purpose and goals was presented and discussed. Various tasks and plans regarding the upcoming elections was also discussed. Freedom Party endorsements and petitioning was also discussed and planned. Also discussed was the vital need of the Freedom Party to provide political voices for African Americans Hispanics and all progressive peoples. For the sake of the elders and Ancestors, we must overtake this spiritual journey in order to not leave this political mess for our children and grandchildren. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 11a.m. at the 2nd Cup Restaurant, corner of Broadway and Ellicott Streets. Sincere volunteers are welcomed.Call 896-0858 regarding concerns.
Juneteenth 2012: A Festival Of Culture, Love & Peace!
N
ext weekend, June 16 and 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Park will be transformed into a cultural mecca when Juneteenth celebrate its 37th annual festival. It is the third largest Juneteenth celebration in the nation. And although anticipation is high as the date approaches, many may have some reservations about safety in the wake of the tragic shooting in the park a few weeks ago. Marcus Brown, president of Juneteenth Buffalo Inc. for the past 18 years, said that although he can understand some people’s concerns, ensuring adequate safety measures was at the forefront of planning long before the recent incident. The festival over the years have been basically peaceful, Brown pointed out, despite the negative rumors that seem to crop up every year before the event. “We don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “We have never done so in the past and
Allentown Arts Festival This Weekend
The Allentown Arts Festival takes place in the Allentown Historic Preservation District along Delaware Avenue between North and Virginia June 9-10.
Retirement Party & Picnic For Darnell Jackson Sr. A retirement party and picnic in honor of community activist Darnell Jackson Sr. will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 15 Barthel St. (backyard area) from noon to 10 p.m. The event will include a live DJ, entertainment, food and guest speaker. A “Roast the Honoree” will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. The community is welcome to attend!
3
OFF AND RUNNING! Pictured above, Legislator Betty Jean Grant is surrounded by just a few of the many supporters who turned out for her press conference last Friday at Loretta’s Restaurant on Genesee Street. It was there that the popular and well respected political veteran announced that she will run for the 63rd Senate District seat in the September 13, 2012 New York State Primary Election. Legislator Grant, who is serving her third term as a county legislator, and who is currently Chairwoman of the Legislature, is a former City of Buffalo Councilmember and Buffalo Public Schools board member. Essentially it is a win-win situation for both the community and Mrs. Grant. If she gets on the ballot and is victorious in the senate race in September and November, all of the people in her senate district will benefit. If she fails to win the senate race, she will not lose her position as a County Legislator or as that powerful body’s chair - another plus for the people. Legislator Grant is asking all those who can help with getting signatures, making phone calls, putting up signs or even a financial contribution, to call the campaign at (716) 602-5877.
we certainly are not doing it this year. Long before the incident we were having security meetings. We know what’s going on, and all the local peace groups – FATHERS, Stop the Violence, Mad Dads, Buffalo United Front and others - have come together and are working together,” he noted. The Buffalo Police Department and Sheriffs department are also involved. “We are always concerned about the eruption of retaliation in the park and any time you have such huge masses of people, there is always a safety concern,” continued Brown. But he also expressed confidence that like in years past, things would go smoothly and peacefully. He pointed out that the potential for violence is not only in East Buffalo, but all over the city. “We’re trying to make this one of the safest parks in the city, and Mayor Brown has helped us a lot as far as providing us what we need to make that happen. We have a strategy in place, and we’re in control of the park.” “We’re urging everyone to please come out!,” continuedBrown. “The annual parade will kick things off. We have two stages and plenty of great entertainment; the arts and culture will be fantastic. Education is a major role this year (we even have a young man teaching Swahili). There will be African drum and dance lessons. Underground Railroad tours, plenty of vendors with African attire, and artifacts , a Health Pavilion and much, much more!” The GIRLS Sports Organization will be in charge of the basketball court on Saturday, featuring a game by the Lady Legends. On Sunday the boys will man the court. Brown is especially proud of the selection of this year’s parade Grand Marshals - two community icons, Viola Hill and Luther Brunette. The Juneteenth and PreJuneteenth Schedule of events follows. The schedule of activities for the Sankofa Celebration, can be found on Page 10.
Are You Registered to
VOTE?
The African American Drummers and Dancers will be among a host of participants to take part in the Juneteenth Parade and Festival! The photo above is from their June 2 annual recital.
2012 Juneteenth Activities Telephone 716.891.8801 “Breaking the Invisible Chains”
37th Consecutive Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo Saturday, June 16th & Sunday June 17th, 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Saturday Schedule: June 16th
Praise & Worship 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 (Sponsored by WUFO Radio Station) Juneteenth Parade Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. sharp from the corners of Genesee & Wende proceeds down Genesee into MLK Park. Followed by Festivities in Park until 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: June 16th & 17th: The Art Chalk Walk: Sponsored by the Buffalo Board of Education. Saturday, June 16th: Girls Basketball Showcase. Sunday, June 17th: Girls and Boys Basketball Showcase. Sunday Schedule: June 17th Praise & Worship 9:00 a.m. – 12:00noon (sponsored by WUFO RadioStation) Followed by festivities in the park until 8:00 p.m. *Festivities include: Entertainment stage, Arts and Culture stage, Vendor’s Market, Food Court, Health Pavilion, Healing tent, Family Portrait Booth, Book Fair, Historical exhibits, Re-enacting historical events in history, Children’s Activities, Girls & Boys Basketball Showcase, Youth Activities, Underground Railroad Tours and more! Pre - Festival Events *Saturday, June 9th: “GiT On Da Bus” Juneteenth Festival Headquarters – 1517 Genesee St. Meet at 3:30 p.m. Bus leaves at 4 p.m. Returns 7 p.m. A journey to many important sites in the city with storytelling at each site. Sponsord by theTradition Keepers. For more information call 716-883-4418 *Saturday, June 9th : Youth Activities: June – Teen Talk Forum: 1 – 3 p.m. @ the Buffalo Museum of Science. For more information call 716-891-8801. *Friday, June 15th: Prayer, Praise, and Worship: at 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fillmore Street (In front of the Martin L. King Jr. Bust) Continued Page 11
4
National/International NEWS
Bishop Otis G. Clark, survivor of College Student1921 Tulsa race riot, dies at 109 Cannibalism Seattle -- For years, few people dared to speak about what happened on the night of May 31, 1921, during one of the most deadly and devastating race riots in the nation's history. Otis G. Clark, who was 18 at the time, had grown up in Greenwood, a thriving African American section of Tulsa. During a night that history almost forgot, Mr. Clark dodged bullets, raced through alleys to escape armed mobs and saw his family's home burned to the ground. He fled Tulsa on a freight train headed north. He would eventually move to Los Angeles, where he was the butler in the home of movie star Joan Crawford. He later turned to preaching and was known as the "world's oldest Bishop Clark evangelist." Greenwood had 15,000 residents, a 65-room hotel, several banks and two newspapers. It also faced, on its border, growing racial resentment from an emboldened presence of the Ku Klux Klan. But for nine decades, he remained a living witness to a night of horror, when Greenwood died. Mr. Clark died May 21 in Seattle at age 109, family members told the Tulsa World newspaper. The cause of death was not disclosed. "Oh, child, we had what you might say a little city, like New York or Chicago," Mr. Clark told author Tim Madigan, recalling the life of Greenwood for the 2001 book "The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921." "We had two theaters, two pool halls, hotels, and cafes, and stuff. We had an amazing little city."On the final day of May 1921, White mobs were sparked into action by rumors that a young Black man had improperly touched a White female elevator operator. Armed vigilantes were deputized by the local police, giving them the legal standing of a militia, as they gathered on the edge of Greenwood.Mr. Clark had to flee his house. "Gunfire and the blaze from the fire was getting closer," he told the Tulsa World in 2000, "and all we had on our minds was getting out of the house before the war got there."
Suspect
A Maryland college student accused of killing a housemate and eating his heart and part of his brain was kicked out of a ROTC program after he punched holes in the walls of the cadet computer lab and a military instructor referred to him as a "Virginia Tech waiting to happen," according to a campus police report months before the attack. Alex Kinyua, 21, a native of Kenya and a student at Morgan State University, admitted using a knife to kill and carve up 37-year-old Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie before eating his organs, the Harford County Sheriff's Office said last week. The older man, a native of Ghana, had been staying with the Kinyua family for about six weeks at their townhouse in the Baltimore suburb of Joppatowne. Investigators haven't given a possible motive.
ATTENTION ROOFERS: The chemicals found in coal tar and coal tar products are powerful causes of cancer. Workers who tended roofer’s kettles or carried buckets of hot coal tar pitch for application on roofing surfaces are at risk for developing cancer due to their exposure to coal tar pitch. Individuals suffering from cancer as a result of working in roofing construction, may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
LIPSITZ & PONTERIO, LLC
We are Located in Downtown, Buffalo, NY
Call Us Today: 716-849-0701 www.lipsitzponterio.com
135 Delaware Avenue • 5th Floor • Buffalo, New York 14202
JUNE 6, 2012
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Trayvon Martin Update
We Remember...
THE SOWETO UPRISING
Zimmerman Was Busted by Recorded Phone Calls
George Zimmerman surrendered to authorities in Florida on Sunday and has been taken into custody at the Seminole County Jail, two days after a judge revoked his $150,000 bond and ordered him to turn himself in. Judge Kenneth R. Lester Jr. said that Zimmerman and his family had misled the court about their finances, and set a deadline of 2:30 p.m. Sunday for Zimmerman to surrender. Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, had been living in an undisclosed location since being released on bond in April. Last Friday, prosecutors argued that Zimmerman and his wife Shelly did not disclose the $135,000 they had collected in donations for his defense at the initial bond hearing. Benjamin Crump, the Martin family attorney, said the teen’s parents welcomed the news. “They’ve always believed that if the shoe was on the other foot that Trayvon Martin would have been put in jail on day one and he would have not been given bail,” Crump said Friday. In transcripts from recorded conversations that took place while George was still in jail a week before, George instructs Shelley to go to the bank and take control of his account. In another call, Shelley is at the bank and the teller takes the phone to get a security code from George so he could authorize Shelley’s control of the account. Shelley even says at one point, “Not going to say any personal information since it’s recorded.” It does appear that the Zimmermans did speak in some kind of “code,” like the prosectors said yesterday. Bank statements show the family had access to $135,000 in cash on the day before the bond hearing, but their conversations never speak in denominations over $100. In regards to Zimmerman’s passport, state department records prove the existence of a second passport. In a recorded phone call from a few days before the April 20 bond hearing, George and Shelley talked about the passport: Defendant: Do you know what? I think my passport is in that bag. Shelley Zimmerman: I have one for you in a safety deposit box... Defendant: OK, you hold on to that. Shelley Zimmerman: For you...
blackagendareport.com
Black Colleges Without Black People
“If you don’t have a Black faculty, you don’t have an HBCU,” said Jahil Issa, professor of history and Africana studies at Delaware State University. Issa warned that the school is in danger of following in the footsteps of Bluefield State College and West Virginia State University, two historically Black institutions that are now overwhelmingly White. Delaware State University’s faculty is now majority non-African American, although the student body remains predominantly Black. Prof. Issa wrote “How Black Colleges are Turning White: The Ethic Cleansing of HBCUs in the Age of Obama,” which appeared in Black Agenda Report, last year.
Florida Voter Suppression Law Struck Down
A federal judge struck down provisions of a Florida law that constituted “a naked attempt to limit the electorate,” said Atty. Lee Rowland, of the Brennan Center for Justice, the lead lawyer in the case. The Florida legislation “was part of a wave of suppressive laws that hit in 2011 and 2012” that “targeted specific communities.”
Lynching Town “Hasn’t Changed”
Fourteen years after three White men chained James Byrd, Jr. to a pickup truck and dragged his body to pieces, the town of Jasper, Texas, remains racially polarized, said Ricky Jason, who produced an award-winning film on the murder. Jason doesn’t think the film will ever be shown in Byrd’s home town, where “Blacks shop on one side of the Wal-Mart, Whites on the other.” He said Byrd’s gravesite is in disrepair, and has twice been vandalized with racist slurs.
Pelican Bay Prison “Cruel and Unusual”
The Center for Constitutional Rights launched a class action suit on behalf of over 500 prisoners who have endured solitary confinement for ten years or more at California’s Pelican Bay high security facility.
Hector Pieterson being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo after being shot by South African police. His sister, Antoinette Sithole runs beside them. Pieterson was rushed to local clinic and declared dead on arrival at the clinic. A Hector Peterson memorial, named after the first and youngest student to die in the protests, now stands in Soweto. The above photograph became iconic in the struggle against White minority rule in South Africa.
The Soweto Uprising, also known as June 16, was a series of high school studentled protests in South Africa that began on the morning of June 16, 1976.Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto, against the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974 which forced all Black schools to use Afrikaans and English . An estimated 20 000 students took part in the protests, and roughly 176 people were killed. The photograph of Hector Pieterson’s dead body, as captured by photo-journalist Sam Nzima, caused outrage and brought down international condemnation on the Apartheid government. Many White South African citizens were outraged at the government’s actions in Soweto, and about 300 white students from the University of the Witwatersrand marched through Johannesburg’s city centre in protest of the killing of children. Black workers went on strike as well and joined them as the campaign progressed. Riots also broke out in the black townships of other cities in South Africa. The 16th of June is now a public holiday, Youth Day, in South Africa, in remembrance of the events in 1976. The Soweto Uprising was a turning point in the liberation struggle in South Africa. Are you Registered to
VOTE?
JUNE 6, 2012
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Program
245 Elmwood Avenue’ Buffalo, New York 14222 (716) 855-6779 • Fax (716) 881-6300
PUBLIC NOTICE Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Waiting List Re-Opening In an effort to replenish the number of potentially qualified applicants on its Section 8 waiting list, notice is hereby given that the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) will re-open its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Waiting list. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This program provides rental subsidies to eligible low income individuals and families who wish to live in private rental housing.
DISTRIBUTION OF WAITING LIST APPLICATIONS To determine initial eligibility, waiting list applications will be available to the public beginning on Monday, June 4, 2012 on the BMHA website at www.bmhahousing.com and at the following locations Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00AM and 4:00PM: BMHA Administrative Office Perry Street-Buffalo, NY 14204
Frederick Douglas Towers 3 0 0 515 Clinton Street-Buffalo,14204
BMHA Housing Assistance Office 245 Elmwood Avenue-Buffalo, NY 14222 BMHA Resident Services Division 476 Louisiana Street-Buffalo, NY 14204
AD Price 43 Mortimer Street-Buffalo, NY 14204
LaSalle Courts 110 Blum Street-Buffalo, NY 14216
Langfield Homes 35 TowerStreet-Buffalo,NY 14215
Shaffer Village 90 Isabelle Street-Buffalo, NY 14207
LBJ Apartments 67 Humboldt Pkwy-Buffalo,NY 14214
Holling Homes 1 Holling Drive-Buffalo, NY 14216
Ferry Grider 967 East Ferry St.-Buffalo,NY 14211
Jasper Parrish 6 Jasper Parrish Drive-Buffalo, NY 14207
Sedita Apartments 355 Summer St.-Buffalo, NY 14222
Commodore Perry 386 Perry Street-Buffalo, NY 14204
Marine Drive 205 Marine Drive-Buffalo, NY 14202
Kenfield Homes 39 TowerStreet-Buffalo,NY 14215
ACCEPTANCE OF WAITING LIST APPLICATIONS Applications for the BMHA Section 8 waiting list will be accepted in accordance with the following schedule: • Tuesday, June 19th and Wednesday, June 20th −Completed waiting list applications will be accepted in person at the BMHA Administrative offices located at 300 Perry Street, Buffalo NY 14204 between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:30PM. Waiting list applications MUST be filled out before entering the office. • Thursday, June 21st and beyond −Waiting list applications will be accepted in person at the BMHA Housing Assistance Office located at 245 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222 between the hours of 8:30AM and 4:30PM. • Mailed waiting list applications postmarked June 19th or later will also be accepted. Mailed waiting list applications should be addressed to: BMHA Housing Assistance Office −245 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222. Please note that original waiting list applications are required. Faxes and emails will not be accepted. Waiting list applications received or postmarked before the open period (Tuesday, June 19th) will not be accepted. The BMHA will accept only one waiting list application per household. INCOMPLETE AND/OR DUPLICATE WAITING LIST APPLICATIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
HEALTH MATTERS
Season’s Picks for Longevity
As spring fever gives way to rising temperatures, nature’s new blooms and crops fill our markets with an abundance of seasonal produce. Take advantage of the bounty of this season’s superfoods that will boost your energy and reduce your waistline! 1. Weigh Less with Watercress: Don’t underestimate these small, leafy greens the next time you hit the grocery store! Watercress has been linked to a reduction of DNA damage caused by free radicals, and a reduction in blood triglycerides. As a member of the cabbage family, watercress boasts an incredible nutrient profile that includes vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and the potent flavonoid, quercetin, which serves as a natural anti-inflammatory. A natural diuretic, watercress can draw excess fluid from your body, which can help you fit into your new spring wardrobe. 2. Antioxidant Boost with Apricots: You may be familiar with dried apricots, which are available all year round. However, once the sun starts shining longer, fresh apricots will start to dot your produce aisles with their golden glow. As you bite into their velvety skin, your taste buds will get a burst of tang, while your body benefits from its rich supply of vitamin A, C, and carotenoids. Carotenoids are phytochemicals that give the apricot both its color and antioxidant-rich properties, which can help protect against heart disease and cancer. To enjoy the full health benefits of this tart fruit, enjoy them when they are fully ripened. 3. Green and Lean with Asparagus:These delicious green spears are the perfect side dish for your spring meals! Chock full of vitamins A, C and K, folic acid, calcium, magnesium and potassium, asparagus is also rich in the prebiotic inulin. Prebiotics, not to be confused with probiotics, are non-digestible carbohydrates that promote a healthy living environment for your gut flora. Prebiotics can be found in fibers from fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Probiotics, on the other hand, are found in fermented foods. Just one cup of asparagus provides you with 3 grams of dietary fiber, which may lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Learn more these foods in The Natural Health Dictionary!
5 Black Leadership Commission on AIDS Convenes Faith Leaders and Health Disparities Summit on June 9 Rev. Dr. Herman D. Washington, Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Rockville Centre, New York, will facilitate discussions and bring the keynote address at the Western New York Faith Leaders’ Summit on Health Disparitiesv on Saturday, June 9, at the Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue. Breakfast and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sessions begin promptly at 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA) of Buffalo, this groundbreaking Summit is free of charge and open to faith leaders and lay persons of all denominations. In addition to a keynote address by Rev. Herman D. Washington, renowned Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Rockville Centre, New York, attendees will discuss social determinants and their impact on health disparities; dialogue with clergy on how they address HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in our community; discuss how faith leaders can effect change and reduction of health disparities and network with faith and community based organizations to help stem the tide of health disparities that, disproportionately impact communities of color. Several workshops will be held to assist in training faith leaders to respond to health disparities including, “Human Sexuality from the Faith Perspective” and “The Efficacious Health Ministry.”
Breakfast and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sessions begin promptly at 9 a.m. The summit, including meals and materials, is free of charge and open to all faith leaders and lay workers and concerned citizens. Seating is limited and attendees are asked to pre-register. For more information on the Summit or to pre-register for the Summit, please call Donna Chapman at 832-2088 or email buffalo@ nblac.org by June 7.
6
ChallengerCN.com
FAITH BASED
A Twist to the All Male Fashion Show
The St. John A. M. E. Church of Niagara Falls, Dumanis Men of Valor Usher Board will sponsor their annual fundraiser; A Twist to the All Male Fashion Show. The theme is “A Celebration of Fashions 2012.” It will include three male scenes, a special youth scene, soloists, youth and adult praise dancers, vendors, door prizes and a reception. The celebration will be held Saturday, June 16, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Doris Jones Family Resource Center located at 3001, 9th Street, Niagara Falls, New York. Donation is $10 for adult and $5 youth 12 and under. For participation interest or additional information, please contact Bro. Thomas Washington, President or Bro. Roosevelt Bradberry, Vice President at 285-6432.
worship this week!
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
Young Tabernacle to Observe 9th Anniversary
The Rev. L. Jean Young, Pastor of Young tabernacle Holiness Church, 623 Best St., will celebrate her 9th Pastoral Anniversary Wednesday, June 6 thru Sunday, June 10.Week night services will begin at 7 p.m. The Pastoral Banquet will be held June 9 in the Church Fellowship Hall. The guest preacher will be Rev. Gloria Moye.The celebration will close during the June 10 Sunday morning service at 11:30 a.m. For more information call 892-0985.
IS THERE A REVEREND IN THE LEGISLATURE? Erie County Legislature Chairperson Betty Jean Grant left, and Legislature Majority Leader Thomas J. Mazur ,center, presented a proclamation on behalf of the entire County Legislature to Legislator Timothy R. Hogues, Bethel Head Start presents its 3rd Annual Healthy Kids Initiative Health Fair
ChallengerCN.com
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
Next Public Meeting on the MLK Park Pool Construction June 13 Samuel A. Herbert, chairman of the Coalition to Save Martin Luther King Jr. Park, has announced that the next public meeting on the status of the construction of the MLK Park Pool will be held Wednesday, June 13 at the Frank E. Merriweather Library from 5:30-7:30 p.m. “I have invited the same people who attended the first meeting in April, to come back in front of the community, and explain to us what will be ready for Juneteenth and Father’s Day Weekend. The community will also find out if the wading pool will be ready by the scheduled July 1 date. Come out and find out for yourself what is going on,” encouraged Herbert. “I feel cofident the community can expect something wonderful will be displayed for Juneteenth. The pressure is on as all can see. they are working weekends; trucks are coming in and moving out. They are working!”
LICENSED CHECK CASHING Western New York Check Services LLC 675 Fillmore Avenue Buffalo, NY 14212
Phone: 893-4193 (1 Block south of Broadway)
DON’T CASH YOUR CHECK ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
Maximum fee allowed by NYS Law is ONLY 1.91% — NO MORE! Examples: $100 check – our fee only $1.91 $500 check – our fee only $9.55
Never get ripped-off by an ILLEGAL Check Cashing Business AGAIN !!
Keep MORE money in your pocket~ Stop and See us TODAY!!
TAX RETURNS…Big or Small $$—We cash them ALL!!! Locally Owned & Operated
Monday ~ Saturday 9 AM to 4:30 PM
LICENSED by the Superintendent of Banks Pursuant to Article 9-A of the Banking Law
7
8
ENTERTAINMENT
The Lalah Hathaway Interview by Matt Bauer
I
n her two decades and counting career, Lalah Hathaway has made an indelible mark on music, blazing a trail that honors the iconic and incredibly influential legacy of her late father, the incomparable Donny Hathaway with an estimable and unique output of her own. Lalah will be performing at the Tralf in Buffalo this Saturday June the 9th for two shows. In the middle of her tour she graciously took the time to talk about her new album and career. What are you up to right now? My record Where It All Begins, came out in October and I’m on tour. This week we’re in the D/M/V area: kind of DC and Baltimore and then the following week we’re up in Buffalo and I’m really looking forward to that. What can the audience in Buffalo expect at the Tralf this Saturday? I’m looking to do as much as I can from as much of my career as possible. It’s hard to cram 20 years into an hour and a half, but we’re going to do as much as we can from as many parts of my career as possible. Tell me about your newest album? I’m really proud of it. One of the great things about twitter and facebook is that people can let you know immediately how they feel about the work. I’ve been getting some really great positive feedback about the record and really happy with it. The cover artwork which features you super-imposed in place of your father on his album covers is very cool. I was wondering about the idea behind it? Thank You. The cover was created by an artist in Dallas Texas by the name of Chris Herod and the idea was that I had all of these records of my dad’s in my hair. We couldn’t really use the record covers so we decided to super-impose me into the album cover. Those covers are so iconic and were art to begin with. I really wanted to create a piece of art from beginning to end that was exemplary of what I was trying to do. I know that you haven’t covered any of your father’s work previously. Why did you decide to cover “You Were Meant For Me?” It was a song that I loved. I wanted to cover one of his songs for this album and it actually was the best choice for me. I had a full day
JUNE 6, 2012
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
longevity? Luck, blessings, honesty, tenacity. You know it’s hard to say. People still keep coming back and I’ve only released six records in the last twenty years. I just keep being myself. What are you up to next? I’m going to get started working on the next record. I do think that I’m one of those artists that’s woefully under-recorded. I’m going try to get on a faster clip in terms of making records but I do have some records that I’m on that have just come out or are coming out. Just did the Robert Glasper record [Black Radio] that’s out now. I just try to stay working.
at Capitol Studios with my band with Phil Ramone producing and I thought this would be a great opportunity to really get something beautiful to go on this album and I felt like that song really fit the mood and the color. There’s so many and I could have chosen any but I really felt like that one just fit musically. How would you define your sound and how has it evolved over the past two decades? I don’t define my sound. I figure it’s one of those things that once you put words on what a sound is, you kind of limit it. The evolution has been really interesting and continues daily. I’m still learning as a student and as a
musician. It’s still evolving so hopefully until I die, I’m really a student and so the process of evolution for me is enlightening and very fun and I learn something every time I do it. What motivates you to continue making music? I just really love music. It’s what I would do for free. It’s what I’m motivated to do. It’s what I’m passionate about. I don’t have any doubt in my mind as to what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s the thing that moves me the most, that gets me up in the morning. It’s the thing that I really love to do. To what do you attribute your career
see you at the events
9
WUFO Black Music Month Conference In celebration of Black Music Month, WUFO Mix 1080 AM presents the The Black Music Month Conference June 8-10! This conference will host a series of workshops on music business, musicianship, marketing, studio production, entertainment law and much more. The workshops will be held in the educational classrooms at Pilgrim Baptist Church located at 665 Michigan Ave in Buffalo, NY 14203. Workshops on Friday, June 8 will be held from 1-6 p.m. focusing on music business. Saturday’s workshops will focus on skill building beginning promptly at 10a.m. On Sunday WUFO will conclude the music conference with a finale Concert featuring some of gospel music’s nationally renown artists. The Black Music Month Conference will host free concerts every night! *Friday 8th @7pm-The Colored Musicians Club Saturday 9th @ 6pm-Pilgrim Baptist Church Sunday 10th @ 5pm-Pilgrim Baptist Church Registration is only $20 at WUFO Studios located at 89 Lasalle Ave in Buffalo, NY.
JUNE 6, 2012
on stage *Saturday, June 9th Diaab Entertainment Presents Lalah Hathaway 7:30 pm & 10 pm Shows. $45 Advance | $49 Day of Show Tickets on sale at Walmart, Doris Records, & The Tralf Box Office. Charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000 716-852-2860 “Her name is legendary. Her music is timeless. Her lyrics touch you at the core. Her voice possesses rich warmth that soothes your ears and holds you close.”
*Ziggy Marley @ Artpark (450 South 4th Street, Lewiston) Wednesday June 20, FREE outdoor concert, 6:30-9:30; Coors Light Wednesdays (parking fee $10). 716-754-4375
*Ngozi Promotions Poetry Slam, Saturday June 16, The Marquee at the Tralf, 622 Main Street, $20 advance. $15 students. $25 @ door; 553-9491.
Memphis The Musical: June 5-10, Shea’s Performing Arts Center; Tickets1-800-745-3000 or @ Shea’s Ticket Office, ticketmaster.com; groups 829-1153; www.sheas.org
*NEGRAS EROS June 2130, Thur-Sat 8 p.m.Buffalo East, 1410 Main St. 14209 (across from the Utica St. train station); $10 opening night, $15 all additional performances. For mature audiences only. . The actors from left to right are; April Jones, Shawnell Tillery and Sarielys Matos.
*Buffalo’s Best Tribute Concert of the Year featuring Oscar Alston’s 15 Piece Orchestra performing live, the music of Curtis Mayfield, New Birth, War. NEW DATE Saturday, June 9, The New Golden Nugget, 2046 Fillmore Ave. Showtime 7 p.m.; tickets $15. *Charlie Murphy’s Acid Trip Tour, Thursday June 28, with Faizon Love/Feeze Lu, 7:30 Auditorium Theatre, downtown Rochester. Tickets @ Mad Flavors, 185 Lyell Ave Rochester and Doris Records, 286 E. Ferry Buffalo; Ticketmaster.com 1.800.745.3000 *Good Food! Good Jazz!! Pappy Martin’s Love Supreme Jazz, Wegman’s Amherst Street Store, June 9 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Join us for a great food and live music! 228-5307 * “East Side Mommas,” a play by Anne Porter Paris, directed by June Duell, “at Buffalo East, 1410 Main Street on June 14,15,& 16 at 8pm; 8843315 for tickets. *Friday, June 8th “Beautiful in Black” Boat Ride, Miss Buffalo II.….food from 6 til 7pm boarding at 7:30pm…. tickets $30…call 892-1377. *June 7th – 21st …..Road Less Traveled Productions inside The Market Arcade Theatre presents “No Stage” by Archie ‘The Messenger’ and Lyrical ‘ The Lyricist. Showtimes Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2p.m.; general admission $20 students $15 seniors $10. at ticketmaster.com 4443016.
see you at the events
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
10
GENERATIONS
Welcome Donisha
T
Winners Jessica Fuller (left) and Ranijah Doggert-Barnes
Dr. Lydia T. Wright School #89 Takes 1st & 3rd Place in Richmond Speaking Contest! It was another exciting day for the Buffalo Public School District as it hosted the 108th annual Richmond Speaking Contest on May 15, 2012. Nineteen students representing 10 Buffalo Public Schools competed for the coveted Richmond Speaking Prize and bragging rights for a year, at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Congratulations go out to the Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence for their first and third place wins. Seventh grade student, Jessica Fuller earned 1st place for her outstanding interpretation of, “Bi-racial hair” by Zola Howard. Third place went to seventh grade student, Ranijah Doggert-Barnes for her powerful rendition of Langston Hughes’ “Freedom’s Plow.” Congratulations also goes to their coaches, Mrs. Reta Wedderburn-Marshall, Ms. Patrice Rosenberry and Mrs. Judith Candino who are grateful as educators, to play a part in an experience that instills a sense of leadership and builds confidence.Says Principal Dr. Fatima Morrell, “It allows our students to realize who they are and that they can accomplish and be anything they set out to be.”
GED Graduation Ceremony Over 100 students will celebrate attaining their High School Equialency Diplomas through the Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division Preparation Program Wednesday, June 13 at Rockwell Hall Buffalo State College. Patricia L. Goss is chair of the event. (More next week)
hough her grandfather, reggae legend Bob Marley, died three years before she was born, Donisha Prendergast can feel his spirit with her wherever she goes. “I’ve felt his spirit, I hear his music all the time so I feel like I know him,” said Donisha in Toronto last summer to promote her soon documentary Rasta: A Soul’s Journey. She will be in Buffalo on Sunday, June 10, the second night of Juneteenth Sankof Days, to present the film at the Merriweather Library from 6-8:30 p.m. “Making the documentary helped me become a little closer to his mission. He was a freedom fighter, not just a musician,” she said. The documentary, which was shot over four years in eight countries and will be released in the fall, explores the Rastafari movement and aims to dispel myths often associated with it. Prendergast, speaking to some 60 local youths, said a Rasta is someone who does the work - not just “the braids, the marijuana, the red, green and gold (flag).” “We are about truth, rights and justice,” she said. “The documentary is my journey as a young woman and Bob Marley’s granddaughter, discovering the roots of Rastafari. It was an eye opening experience. I was watching myself evolve as a Rasta woman and not just Bob Marley’s granddaughter being Rasta. It’s not just a Black movement. I don’t want to picture a world without Rastafari. It’s created so much balance in an otherwise unbalanced world.” Before filming, Prendergast, who calls Jamaica and Miami home, said she thought the movement was all about reggae music, peace and love. “As I was traveling, I realized there is so much work to be done, truth and rights work,” she said. “I think the biggest misconception is that people wear dreadlocks and do bad things and don’t have work to do. I hope the documentary makes people realize it’s OK to reevaluate your life and challenge the things you thought at certain points in your life.” The Rastafari movement began in the Jamaican slums in the 1920s and 30s. The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one’s hair in dreadlocks and vegetarianism. The movement is named for Ras Tafari Makonnen, who was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia in 1930. (From InsideToronto.com, August 5, 2011 Photo/NICK PERRY)
DR. BROWN Continued
the prospect of Dr. Brown as our superintendent. “She was head and shoulders above the others who interviewed. She’s clearly qualified, and most importantly, she’s what we need right now. Every one of her answers was about her experience doing the things that we need done. Right now we need someone who knows what they’re doing, not somebody who’s going to have to learn on the job or who’s experimenting. Buffalo is poised with a great opportunity with “Say Yes to Education,” Choice neighborhoods, Promise Neighborhoods, and she’s
the right person at the right place, at the right time. I can’t say it any simpler than that. I think if we as a community get behind her, we can really do some special things in Buffalo. Most importantly, she’s the most qualified. When we make a decision, we should always choose the person who is the most qualified.” Patricia Elliott would agree. She, too was thrilled about Dr. Brown’s experience and qualifications, which she documented: Senior research planning associate, Assistant Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, Chief of Staff,
JUNE 6, 2012
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Sankofa Days Schedule of Events “ Go Back, Fetch and Return” : Focus: Saying No To Slavery: Now and Forever Saturday, June 9th: Say No To Slavery 6:00-8 p.m. at the Michigan Street Baptist Church, 511 MichiganRemembering our Ancestors and Receiving the Message From Our Elders Sunday, June 10th: 2012 Juneteenth Hour: Live Broadcasting from 3–6 p.m. on 1080am WUFO or online at www.wufoam.com - Followed by: RasTa: A Soul’s Journey (Film) presented by Donisha Prendergast Granddaughter of the King of Reggae Bob Marley and Rita Marley from 6–8:30 p.m. at the Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue Monday, June 11th: Free and Progressive Africa in the 21st Century 6:00-8 p.m. at the Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue Africans in Buffalo, give their view on history of various African Nations. Find out what’s going on now in Africa and how it connects with America. Tuesday, June 12th: Cultural Open Mic Night 6:30-9 p.m. Second Cup Café, 36 Broadway Liberation lyrics, poetry, spoken word and expressions of freedom Wednesday, June 13th: Black Social Workers 6:00 – 8 p.m. Gateway Longview Family Recourse Center, 3475 E. Ferry Street. Presenting: The New Jim Crow – people not understanding the law and social system. Thursday, June 14th: Jamaican American Association 6:00 – 8 p.m. Jamaica 50th Anniversary of Independence, History of Jamaica Location: TBA Friday, June 15th: MAAFA: 6:00 – 8 p.m. Juneteenth Headquarters ,1517 Genesee Street to Dusk, then assembly at Broderick park “foot of Ferry” for MAAFA (memorial and healing ceremony for our ancestors who were affected by the slave trade and the upheaval of pre-colonial African society). Friday, June 15th: Juneteenth Social 8:30 – 10 p.m. At the Big 6, corner of Fox and E. North A meet and greet of local and out-of-town participants of Juneteenth Festival. For more informationabout Sankofa Days contact Ras Jomo at 716-948-5738 or email accesstoafreeka@hotmail.com
FREE!
Harvard university Supervisor of principal interns, building principal, Director of second language acquisition programs, Bi-lingual cross cultural specialist, and Bi-lingual classroom teacher. “Respectfully,” she said: “I don’t think this is a place where either Dr. Newsome or Interim Superintendent Amber Dixon can speak from.” In closing, we should say that there has been much talk about behind the scenes politicking to simply hand this position to Amber Dixon. Some have even speculated that this may be the reason that some of the board members didn’t even bother to attend the interview with Dr. Brown. It’s important, therefore, that we as a community remind our elected board officials that their role is to do the will of the electorate, and no one else’s. It’s important that we remember to consequence them should they forget. If you trust the perspectives of those who are laboring tirelessly in our best interests as a family, give us a call to become a part of our database, and to see how you can help. (716) 948-0604, 819-6732.
JUNE 6, 2012
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Community Reps Agree: Dr. Pamela Brown is “The Voice of Experience”
T
he latest development in the search for a superintendent for Buffalo Public Schools was the visit of Dr. Pamela Brown to our city on Monday for an interview. Some who were in attendance are excited beyond description about what they witnessed. Patricia Elliot, who is the parent representative at Waterfront school and the treasurer for the District Parent Coordinating Council Dr. Brown (DPCC) is convinced that Ms. Brown is the best choice for the position, “hands down.” “She spoke of triumphs in every school she had been in, Ms. Elliott reported. “And these were not just any schools. These were the most challenging, with the highest rates of poverty and the least amounts of money, and the lowest test scores…yet she had success. She told how she was able to establish local, national, and international partnerships that improved the learning. She talked Sabirah of being able to electrify parent engagement Muhammad and community support, and ensure that Title I dollars were used for their intended purpose. She was also instrumental in securing hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for the district.” Ms. Elliot was most impressed with Ms. Brown’s sharp, confident demeanor, describing her as articulate, and never thrown off guard or giving garbled answers about what she would like to do with the district. She only spoke assertively about what she has already done. Bishop Michael Badger, Senior Pastor of the Bethesda World Harvest International Church, who was also present at the first of these interview with candidates Amber Dixon and Dr. Edward Newsome called Ms. Brown “a breath of fresh air.” “Our community will suffer great loss if we don’t get Dr. Brown,” he said. “Not only were her answers concise and to the point, but with every question she talked about conditions before she arrived somewhere, what she implemented, and the results after the implementation. She is the candidate that our school system needs. She has the experience, she has the track record, and she’s sensitive to the issues of a predominantly minority population.” Pastor Badger had been able to raise the issue of the 25% graduation rate for Black and Hispanic boys at the earlier interview session, and was not happy at all with what he heard. Not so this time. “I asked her the question concerning minority male graduation rates, and she understood that this is an urban problem across the country. Then she explained some of the things that she implemented in Philadelphia, and the results they were beginning to see. They gained improvements with the use of counselors and assessments, and the involvement of community. Not only was she sensitive to the issue, she had implemented different procedures to effect change in the area, and they were beginning to see that change happen.” When asked for his overall opinion on Ms. Brown’s personal presentation, he said: “I thought she was a very seasoned person. Just from the short period of time that she’s visited Buffalo, it’s clear that she’s a quick learner and already has a grasp on the lay of the land. She had command of the facts, was definitely confident in her presentation, and very well spoken. I don’t think she’d be intimidated by the particular circumstances we’re facing, having been the assistant superintendent of a much larger school district. Moreover, most of her training has been in urban situations.” DPCC President and Millions More Movement Co-Chair Samuel Radford found it hard to contain his excitement over Continued Page 10
JUNETEENTH continued 2012 June – Teen Activity Schedule- Buffalo Science Museum. Call 891-8801 June 9: Saturday *JuneTeen Talk Forum: Diva’s for Christ/Teen Girl Motivational Workshop 11 – 1 p.m. *Hands on Science Workshop: 11 – 1 p.m. *Job Readiness Skills: 1 – 3 p.m. June 10: Sunday: *The New Generation/Global Workshop – 11a.m. - 1 p.m. *Youth Activities: Teen Talk Forum June 16 & 17: *Youth Adventure: 11:00 – 6:00 p.m. Location: Behind the Casino @ MLK Park June 17th: Sunday: *June-Teen:Live play 2 p.m. Talent Show from 4:00 p.m. 6:00 pm: Location: back of the Museum of Science. OTHER ACTIVITES IN THE PARK MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT June 16th, Saturday: 2:00 – 2:45pm - Kenny Berry; 3- 4pm - The Intruders; 4:15 – 5:15 pm – Rey Scott; 5:30 – 6:30 pm - Juanita Simmons; 6:45 – 8 pm – Will Holton June 17th, Sunday: 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Kissena; 2:15 – 3:30 pm – Larry Salter’s Big Band; ys; 6:30 – 7:00 - New Beginnings; Unity Band 7:15 – 8:00 Finale. *Underground Railroad Tours - June 16th , Saturday/ June 17th, Sunday Time: 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Location of pick up site: Best & Fillmore . *Health Fair - June 16th and June 17th: - Time: Noon – 6 pm Location: Vendors alley on Fillmore near Martin Luther King DriveSponsor: Great Lakes Health (Kaleida Health/E.C.M.C) Children’s Activity Tent: June 16th & 17th Time: 1-6 p.m. Location: Tennis Courts. Book Fair: June 16th and 17th Time: 4:00 P.M. to 7 P.M. Location: Near the
Continued Page 12
Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” - John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal. 1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper
Online at ChallengerCN.com
P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053
EDITORIAL
11 America’s Criminal Injustice System
T
by Margaret Kimberley here are so many things amiss in the United States that one hardly knows where to begin discussing them all. Yet of all the calamitous situations faced by Americans, the cruelest by far is the criminal justice system. America is the world’s prison capital, and just one state, Louisiana, has an incarceration rate 13 times higher than China’s and 5 times higher than Iran’s. Mass incarceration did not come about by happenstance, but was a coordinated and perfected reaction to the successes of the civil rights movement. Jim Crow was made illegal, so a legal means of destroying the black community had to be created. America’s obsession with punishment always results in a cause celebre which gets media attention because of obvious unfairness, prosecutorial misconduct or blatant racism. However, these details are less important than the unmitigated horror of American justice. The ordeal of Brian Banks is a case in point. Banks was a 16-year old high school student and football stand out in Long Beach, California when he was falsely accused of raping a classmate in 2002. Banks faced a charge not only of rape, but kidnapping as well. He wanted to invoke his right to plead innocent, but Banks was facing a 41-year sentence if convicted. As Banks’ recalls, his lawyer pointed out that he was “a big black guy” whom the jury would assume to be guilty. Banks followed the advice to plead no contest. Even after serving five years in prison, Banks was forced to be monitored with an ankle bracelet, and register as a sex offender. Sex offenders in particular are in effect prisoners forever, unable to live where they want or monitored for years at a time. The draconian measures don’t end sexual assaults or make anyone safer. They are just added to the long list of ways to mete out more suffering. Such is the case with untold thousands of Americans who end up in the maw of the system despite being innocent of any wrongdoing. The recantation of the alleged victim made the Banks case a headline story, but the entire criminal justice system ought to be on trial. Prosecutors routinely overcharge defendants with long sentences, and force innocent people to plead guilty in order to avoid decades behind bars. Prosecutors in the state of Florida have decided that they don’t really want to try cases in court any longer. They punish suspects who want to go to trial by seeking sentences that are 5, 10 or even 20 times longer than the sentence that would be served had they pleaded guilty. Marissa Alexander fired a shot at her husband, and could have pleaded guilty and served only 3 years in prison. By insisting upon going to trial, and despite the fact she didn’t actually shoot anyone, Alexander will now serve 20 years behind bars. What we witness in American courts bears no resemblance to a justice system, which would give judges discretion and allow defendants a day in court without fearing a life sentence. The system even punishes the innocent for saying that they are innocent. Many states automatically deny parole to individuals who assert their innocence and keep them locked up until they confess the guilt that isn’t theirs. The corrections and criminal justice system in this country is nothing but a nest of corruption and must be torn apart. Prisons and jails are used to create jobs for prison communities, make money for corporations and keep black people from effectively challenging the system as they did forty and fifty years ago. Prosecutors and politicians benefit from tough sentencing and can expect publicity, election victories and higher office should they seek it. They have little to lose with “three strikes your out” life sentences and decades in jail for low level drug dealers. Being “tough on crime” is a metaphor for keeping black people under control. The code words are clearly understood and the fear created by media’s “if it bleeds it leads” obsession makes even many black people support these awful measures. No crime is too small to put thousands of people away. Even child support enforcement is used to put black people behind bars who, once there, obviously can’t support their children at all. But dead beat dads, sexual predators, drug kingpins and other imagined or exaggerated criminals are never the point. They are used to keep the dreadful system running, make money for corporations, get votes for politicians, and keep racist and/or uninformed Americans happy. The case of Brian Banks gets media attention because a liar put him behind bars. It is tempting to remember that aspect of his case but it shouldn’t be what we think about. We should think about an unnecessarily long sentence, presumption of guilt of a “big black guy” and permanent punishment. There will always be people whose stories generate more sympathy or who have better organized supporters. Even as they get our attention we must acknowledge that there are thousands more like them. The cause of the moment should be an occasion to expose the beast and kill him once and for all. That will be the story most worthy of our attention. Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BAR, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains an updated blog as well as at http://freedomrider.blogspot.com. Ms. Kimberley can be reached via e-Mail at Margaret.Kimberley(at)BlackAgendaReport.com.
• Published every Wednesday • News Deadline: Friday 5 p.m. • Ad Deadline: Friday 5 p.m. • Classified Deadline: Thursday 5 p.m. We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.
ADVERTISING adver tising@thechallengernews.com
NEWS & PRESS RELEASES News@ChallengerCN.com ANONYMOUS NEWS TIPS Tips@ChallengerCN.com GENERAL INFO Contact@ChallengerCN.com
12 ChallengerCN.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY HAIR SALONS HEATING & CHILD CARE Vendor Fair for ATTORNEYS COOLING James P. Davis Akole Style Unisex Salon Debbie’s Little Scholars 181 Franklin St. 484 Hickory St. 2500 Main St. Zenner & Ritter Contractors and (716) 332-9078 (716) 847-2606 (716)304-6820 3404 Bailey P. Davis Althea/Hair to Go Natural (716) 833-2463 WNY Businesses 534Samuel Home Away From Home Delaware Ave. #108 727 Main St.
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will host a Vendor Fair to preset upcoming projects and business opportunities for contractors and WNY businesses on Tuesday, June 12 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Martha Mitchell Community Center, 175 Oakmont Avenue. Topics covered will include Procurement, Upcoming Capital Improvement Projects, Service and Supply needs. For additional information contact BMHA Resident Services at 855-0081 ext. 13. BMHA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
JUNETEENTH continued
Martin Luther King Jr. Bust on Fillmore Street. Sponsor: HSBC Bank and Project Flight Arts & Culture Stage: June 16th & 17th at Fillmore and Parade Streets Heritage Tent: June 16th and June 17th Displays of African artifacts, veterans display, brochures of heritage information @ the corner of Best and Fillmore in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Times: from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Family Photos: Saturday, June 16th Time: 1:00 - 6:00 pm /Sunday, June 17th 1:00 -6:00 pm Location: Fillmore Street. Sponsor: Locust Street Art Program African Drum and Dance: Sunday, June 17th Time: Drum Class - 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm and Dance Class from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Location: Near Tennis Courts
Vo l u n t e e r s Needed Volunteers are needed in the following areas for Juneteenth 2012. • Juneteenth Parade• Health Pavilion • Holistic Health • Children’s Activity Tent• Youth Activities• Book Sharing • Entertainment Stage• Heritage Tent• Arts & Culture Stage• Hosts for Juneteenth Sankofa Days• Juneteenth Street Team. Please call (716) 891-8801.
855-7611
84 Courtland Ave. (716) 238-1455
(716) 883-2000
Terrence D. McKelvey 181 Franklin St. (716) 847-2606 Home Office (716) 839-3905
Kim’s Building Blocks Day Care 1479 E. Delavan Ave. 895-8693
Pratcher & Associates 1133 Kensington (716) 838-4612
My Precious Angels 2946 Bailey Ave. (716) 896-3800
Compositions Professional Hair 143 Kenmore Ave. 716 995-3450 Excellence Hair Design 5 Kenmore Ave. 835-2036
Daria L. Pratcher 136 Broadway (716) 541-8574
COFFEE SHOPS
Everything Beauty Salon/Spa 156 Elmwood*939-3355
Golden Cup Coffee 883 Jefferson (716) 883-7770
Hair Changers 1787 Hertel Ave. (716) 602-6561
DELI / VARIETY STORES
Hersha / Hair to Go Natural 727 Main St. (716) 563-1734
Grant’s Variety Shop 1055 E. Ferry St. 893-0704
Lacy’s/ Kymmy’s 179 Parkridge * 578-2880
AUTOMOTIVE Colslton Mobile Auto Repair 720 E. Ferry * 896-3910 First Klass Muffler & Brake 779 Genesee St. (716) 362-0450
BARBER SHOPS Klassic Kuts 1471 Kensington 836-3260 Master Touch 1283 E. Delavan 570-7234 / 335-8240 Precision Cutz 87 Cleveland Dr. 603-1477 The Barbershop 2516 Bailey (716) 464-SHOP
BEAUTY/IMAGE
DJ’S DJ Kenny Kutz (716) 400-7358
Majestic Eloquence 20941/2 Eggert Rd. 308-4873
Able Insurance Jeff Moore/Broker 1798 Main St. * 883-5212 Joseph Burch Insurance 2317 Main St. 551-0006 / 510-4729
LIQUORS & WINES Bellamy’s Liquor Store 405 E. Ferry * 884-4066
Dogman Joe Dog Trainer 1963 Fillmore * 807-8163
Main Pediatrics 2800 Main St. (716) 837-0995
More Hair Care Clinic 72 Allen St. (716) 886-7960
Rapha Family Medicine 2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122
EATERIES Loretta’s Soulful Dining 479 Genesee * (716) 381-9308
Serenity Hair Boutique 221 Jefferson Ave. (716) 812-0663
CLOTHING
Nette’s Fried Chicken 3118 Main St. * 715-9592
Level’s Apparel & Footwear 1455 Kensington (716) 832-0284
The Corner Store Deli & Grill 1733 Genesee * 895-2009
Salon Toss 2527 Delaware Ave. 894-8737
EM Tea Coffee Cup * 884-1444 2nd Cup * 840-0048
INSURANCE
Miss JacQuis ExQuizit Beauty 2250 Main St. (716) 833-2250
Mr. Bones 893 Jefferson (716) 464-6794
CAFE’S
Jones Hardwood Flooring Alton Jones (716) 903-5320
DOG TRAINING
Promise Hair Studio 87 W. Cleveland Dr. (716) 835-0250
elitesolutionspresents@gmail.com
Franklins Interior / Exterior Concepts 105 Commonwealth (716) 235-8818
Miracle Tranition 2 3339 Genesee * 481-1321
Matties Restaurant 1412 Fillmore (716) 597-0755
Hazel Harris (716) 573-5240
HOME IMPROVEMENT
West African Int. Market & Take Out 3125 Bailey Cookieland Group Day Care (716) 833-1971 24 Barthel Tomatoes Miss Cookie*893-0590 1393 Kensington
CHILD CARE
List Your Business TODAY!
HAIR SUPPLY Glamorous Beauty 1281 E. Delavan (716) 892-5821 Main Hair & Beauty Supply 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247
MEDICAL
PHOTOGRAPHY Princess Photography (716) 563-0994
REAL ESTATE Realty Edge Jeanette Lane (716)703-8424 Modeste Real Estate Josephine Latifa (716) 704-0685
TAILORS F&S Tailors 2930 Genesee St. (716) 894-3742 F&S Tailors & Fashions (716) 894-3742 wwwfandsfashions.com Ann Rhod’s Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633
TAX SERVICE L. Sessum Income Tax Service 1650 Fillmore (716) 894-4904
TOWING Ron’s Towing & Recovery (716) 892-2282
ONE STOP Mandella Market & Citgo Gas 272 E. Ferry cor. Jefferson 716-882-0288
PHONE SERVICE Boost Mobile 1286 E. Delavan (716) 551-0304
advertising pays. advertising@thechallengernews.com
JUNE 6, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
EM PLOYM ENT
bids COUNTY OF ERIE BID NOTICE MISC BRIDGE REPAIRS PROJECT NO. BR-MISC5-12 BID DEPOSIT $20,000. The Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, is seeking sealed bids for rehabilitation of miscellaneous bridges & culverts. Sealed proposals will be received at the Erie County DPW, 95 Franklin Street, Rm 1419, Buffalo, New York, at 10:00 a.m., June 21, 2012. Bid deposit of $20,000. required. Plans will be available for purchase at $100.00 each from June 7, 2012 through bid date. Prelet meeting is June 14, 2012, 10:00 am at the Erie County DPW, 95 Franklin, Rm 1419, Buffalo, NY 14202. Bid submittal details are on the Erie County website at www.erie.gov
AdvertisingPays!
13
Position Announcement: Executive
Director
Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. *97 Lemon Street Buffalo NY 14204 www.bfnc.org
BFNC, Inc. is a $6M human services not-for-profit corporation. Founded in the “settlement house” tradition in the 1890’s, the organization has operated activities, services and programs for children, youth and adults. A voluntary 15 member board of directors governs the organization. A committed staff executes the policies, services and programs of BFNC. Current programs include after-school homework assistance, teenage pregnancy prevention, well-aged senior citizens center, income tax preparation assistance, and, case management and residential services for adults with mental illness. Community-wide activities are an annual Thanksgiving Dinner, a Holiday Season project and Summer Soulstice- a fundraising event. Neighborhood-based services to adults with mental illness are a major component. Annually, 500 slots in case management from intensive supervision to maintenance allows 750-800 individuals live and function in a noninstitutional, community-based setting; 178 community- based licensed and unlicensed beds provide housing and supports to 215-225 persons with a diagnosed mental illness. Government grants, Medicaid, SSI, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, foundation grants and donations form the revenue base for operations. Education and Experience • Graduate degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field. • One year administering an organization, major program or component and 3-5 years in staff supervision, managing program day-to-day operations with a staff of 5-20 serving a low-income, diverse population; • Can demonstrate cultural competence, history of cooperative and collaborative and effective work relationships with staff, funders and local government entities; non-judgmental, person-centered service approach; • Can demonstrate general knowledge on human service planning and development, not-for-profit accounting, personnel operations, grant-writing, fundraising, licensure and accreditation processes; public/community relations; • Can demonstrate common sense, problem-solving ability, and temperament appropriate for working with people with disabilities, different age, gender, religion, heritage/ ethnicity, sexual orientation and points of view. • Can demonstrate healthy respect for authority and organization principles, confidentiality, compromise and continuous learning. • Can demonstrate good listening skills, clear and cogent verbal and written communication Other Requirements • Must have a valid driver’s license • On-call availability • Criminal History check Western New York residents are encouraged to apply. Candidate interviews will be scheduled in Buffalo in May and June 2012. Salary and Benefits • Negotiable based on education, training, experience, references and salary history. • Position is full time and requires flexible scheduling Send Resume to: Attention: Eugene Partridge, Vice-President LP Ciminelli, 2421 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
bids ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will receive sealed bids for BMHA Job #12-13CF Parking Lot Replacement and Site Improvements at Kowal Apartments The Prebid Conference will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM, local time, with all potential bidders assembled at the Capital Improvements & Development Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204; the project walk-through may be held/scheduled after the meeting. Sealed bids will be received until 3:00 PM, local time, on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. Bids received after the stated time will not be accepted. Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud immediately after specified closing time. All bid forms must be filled out and returned. Sets of contract documents may only be obtained at the Capital Improvements Office at 320 Perry Street, with a deposit of $100 per set. Only certified company checks, bank checks or money orders made payable to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will be accepted. This deposit is refundable upon return of complete sets of documents within 14 calendar days after the bid opening. Failure to comply with this time limit will constitute forfeiture of the deposit. The BMHA reserves the right to reject any bid, which fails to conform to the essential items, required by the contract documents and to reject any and/or all bids submitted. Dated: June 5, 2012
NOTICE OF INVITATION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES Proposals are requested by the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, for the Erie County Rainwater Harvesting Cisterns Installation Project. In accordance with Local Law No. 6, proposals are hereby invited for the subject project. Proposals are to be submitted in the exact format of submittal available from Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, Room 1077, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202, Telephone (716) 858-6990. Proposals will be due June 28, 2012. The DEP emphasizes that declining to respond at any step of the procurement process prior to selection will not hinder firms from being solicited for future jobs. To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) or review documents related to this invitation, please call the above number, write to the above address or e-mail matt. salah@erie.gov. This invitation does not commit the Department of Environment and Planning, Erie County, to accept any priced proposal, nor does it obligate Erie County for any costs associated with preparing or submitting proposals. BY:
Thomas Hersey, Jr. Deputy Commissioner Erie County Department of Environment & Planning
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
Social Workers
Full-time Social Workers needed in our Niagara Falls and N. Tonawanda offices to provide direct assessment and treatment of children and/or adults with psychiatric disorders. For a full description of responsibilities and requirements of this position please visit our website at
www.ccwny.org
and refer to Job #201232 when applying. EOE/M/F
Exp. pd/loan collectors and pt callers on bus line – no wkends 855-317-5196 Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
Secretary
Full-time Secretary responsible for providing receptionist and general secretarial support. For a full description of responsibilities and requirements of this position please visit our website at www.ccwny.org and refer to Job #201239 when applying. EOE/M/F
advertising pays 881-1051
STAFF ASSISTANT
The University at Buffalo, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), is seeking to fill a Staff Assistant, Office Manager position. Provide broad-based key administrative support to the Director, Associate Director and Counseling staff (9), and serves as the day-to-day Office Manager for the Program which serves nearly 900 students each academic year. The Staff Assistant provides management and oversight with respect to all administrative activities needed to support program staff, students and related programming, events and activities. The Staff Assistant manages all day-to-day general office and programmatic operations including supervision of administrative support staff and students to ensure timely and effective provision of services. The Staff Assistant manages all personnel related workflow for the unit and serves as the immediate supervisor to other clerical staff within the unit including, one Keyboard Specialist I and 30-40 Work Study and/or Student Assistants. Responsible for support staff Performance Programs and Evaluations. The Staff Assistant is responsible for staff training programs including planning and development and conducts regular staff meetings. The Staff Assistant is responsible for all Procurement transaction workflow for the unit including monthly account reconciliations. The Staff Assistant is responsible for the day-today management of the departmental budget and is responsible for all EOP financial resource related transactions across all funding sources, including: procurement, human resources, preparation of financial forms and reports, spreadsheet creation and maintenance, account reconciliations and budget planning and development. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required and two years of responsible work with experience in Human Resources, Student Personnel or other related business administration area including supervision of support staff and/or students. Also, two years keyboarding experience utilizing word-processing programs. Must have excellent verbal, written and inter-personal communication skills. Preferred qualifications also include experience creating, editing and maintaining Excel spreadsheets, processing procurement and personnel transactions. Experience working in a diverse environment. Experience managing multiple priorities at the same time. Applications for this position will only be accepted online. To apply, please visit: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=55230 Salary Range: $37,873-$40,873 Application Deadline: 07/08/12 (External Posting Dates: 06/09/12 – 07/08/12) The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and activities. The entire notice of non-discrimination can be viewed here: http://affirmativeaction.buffalo.edu/about.htm.
BUFF
Issue: Deadl Size: Price:
BUFF
Issue: Deadl Size: Price:
14
ChallengerCN.com
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 5/27
3-WAY
MON 5/28
TUES 5/29
WED 5/30 THURS 5/31
FRI 6/1 SAT 6/2
MID-897 MID- 887 MID-824 MID- 111 MID-572 MID-458 MID-938 EVE-206 EVE-089 EVE- 351 EVE-132 EVE-508 EVE-845 EVE-602
MID - 5631 MID- 2846 MID-0604 MID-5294 EVE- 4079 EVE-2906 EVE-0012 EVE-5473
WIN 4
7-9-18-27-37 6-8-16-34-36 2-11-24-30-31 4-21-22-34-35
TAKE 5
LOTTO
HOT TIPS
996
123
648
MID- 6807 MID-5308 MID-0957 EVE- 2261 EVE-1801 EVE-8535
8-18-27-28-39
17-20-35-36-39 6-17-25-31-35
10-17-23-27-30-50#44
7-17-25-28-48-49#22
515
Zakiyyah’s Run Down 662-788-919-322-666-986-568-853-578-312-468-014065-768-981-852-679-254-756-801-645-580-234-532
Billy Bye Bye Sez:
If you dream of a BED Your number should be 310. If you dream of a CAR 816; FOG 577; GRANDMOTHER 797; MONEY 499, 202,290, 221 and TOILET 681!
June Monthly Vibrations 490-235-678-321-487-043
THE NUMBER BOOK
EAST SIDE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE *Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Section 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.
333
888
111
LUCKIE DUCKIE 134-431-143
648*123*104
980-422-809
981-989-970-990-080-800 390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126
189-444-886
322-522-412-432-421-423
CHALLENGER HITS MIDDAY
824-Number Book (bx) 111-Hot Tips (Straight)* 938-Grandma’s Pix (bx) 130-Billie ByeBye (bx)* 232-Lucky Duckie ( bx)
EVENING
089-Lucky Duckie & Hot Tips (Straight)* 123-Lucky Duckie (Straight)* 508-Quick Money (Straight)* 232-Lucky Duckie (bx)
3-Way Winning Numbers this Time Last Year
grandma’s JUNE pixs
776-001-557-338999-410-568-490
Grandma’s 4-Way MyWay
5790-1968-0116 8560-0954-5654
quick money $$$$ 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-525 583-269-508
06/21/2011 Evening 06/21/2011 Midday 06/20/2011 Evening 06/20/2011 Midday 06/19/2011 Evening 06/19/2011 Midday 06/18/2011 Evening 06/18/2011 Midday 06/17/2011 Evening 06/17/2011 Midday 06/16/2011 Evening 06/16/2011 Midday 06/15/2011 Evening 06/15/2011 Midday 06/14/2011 Evening 06/14/2011 Midday 06/13/2011 Evening 06/13/2011 Midday
3-5-8 8-3-5 1-7-2 6-7-0 3-8-2 6-0-4 6-8-3 0-4-8 4-6-0 2-8-2 4-7-8 1-8-1 5-3-3 0-6-2 4-4-4 5-1-1 3-8-6 8-4-8
legal N otice
Are you Registered to VOTE?
Trace Assets Protection Service LLC providing security and investigation services with an office at 67 Timberline Drive in Erie County filed articles of organization March 16, 2012 has designated the Secretary of State as agent for service of process and its registered agent for service of process is Creighton Johnsen & Giroux, 295 Main St. Suite 560 Buffalo NY 14203
15
ChallengerCN.com Wednesday June 6
EVENTS CALENDAR
“We Are Women Warriors” Community Forum: “Successful Release thru Re-entry Programs,” 5:30-7:45 pm, Merriweather Library, Jefferson @ Utica. 536-7323. “Spring Your Home Into Action” Property Repair Workshop: 6 p.m., Niagara Falls Public Library w/Willie A Price; free, 316-7776. Notice Public Meeting Board of Westminster Community Charter School; 3 p.m., M&T Bank, One M&T Plaza 19th Fl. Thursday June 7 Bethel Head Start 3rd Annual Healthy Kids Initiative Health Fair: 11a.m.-3 p.m.; Canisius College Demske Sports Complex, 1833 Main St.; call 8780220 for more info. See You at the Events!
Friday June 8 Marcus Garvey Day Planning Meeting: 6 p.m. Edward Sanders Community Center, 2777 Bailey Ave.; 716) 844-8736.
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •
Friday June 8
Saturday June 9
Saturday June 16
Documentary Series: “5-7 p.m., Film Quilombos,” discussion will follow w/coffee; The Golden Cup, 883 Jefferson; free; 883-7770.
14th Annual Buffalo Track & Field Classic 2012: 9-5 p.m.; Johnnie B Wiley Stadium, Jefferson & Best Streets, entry fee $3 rain or shine.
CAO 47th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Celebration: Buffalo Convention Center, 6 p.m. Tickets $50; to reserve call 881-5150.
Muhammad School of Music Honors Recital: 7 p.m., Burchfield Penny Art Center, featuring Henri Muhammad and guest conductor Amadi Azikiwe, Conductor of the Harlem Symphony Orchestra; for information & tickets, 881-5088 or 570-5064; email info@muhammadschoolofmusic.net
Saturday June 9
Sunday June 10
Black Leadership Commission on AIDS Summit: 8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. Summit; free; Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave.; 832-3088 to pre-register.
Muhammad School of Music Honors Recital: 3 p.m., Burchfield Penny Art Center; for information & tickets, 881-5088 or 570-5064; email info@muhammadschoolofmusic.net
Darnell Jackson Sr. Retirement Party & Picnic: Noon-10 p.m. 15 Barthel St. (backyard); 5-7 “Roast the Honoree”; after party 10 p.m. until. Freedom Party Meeting: 11 a.m., 2nd Cup Restaurant, Broadway & Ellicott Streets; 896-0858. Eva Doyle Lecture on “Don Cornelius”: 1-3 p.m., 2nd Cup Café, 36 Broadway @ Ellicott; dance contest w/cash prize; 847-6010 or 533-9547. See You at the Events!
NAACP Annual Dinner: 6 p.m., Buffalo Convention Center. 884-7242. Wednesday June 13
Welcome Home Troops: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Naval & Military Park, One Naval Park Cove; food, entertainment and more. 6th Annual Peter Fleck Memorial/Burgard Car Show: Noon4; Burgard High School, 400 Kensington Ave.; $15 vehicle entry fee; call 816-4450 or 824-0211 for more info. Sunday June 17 EPAC Services 1st Annual Father’s Day Boat Cruise: 7-9 p.m.; Miss Buffalo, Erie Basin Marina; $45 per person ; for more info call 939-1224 or email ebony pplagent@yahoo.com
Public Meeting/Update MLK Partk Construction: 5:30-7:45 pm., Merriweather Library.
Mother Daughter Sister Friend Tea Social: Sunday, June 24 from 2-4 p.m., donation $30 per person; $100 per family table of four; with the BPO Quartet featuring Sal Anodina. Register Now for 2012 Jumpin’ Jambalaya Summer Program Fun! June-August. 884-2013.
See You at the Events!
Raise the green flag for help buying a home.
Board of Ed Regular Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m.; 801 City Hall Friday June 15 Buffalo United Front Inc. Fathers Day Annual Fish Fry: 6-9 p.m.; Mount Olive Baptist Church, 701 East Delavan; admission $35; call 446-6086 for tickets.
If you’re looking to buy a home, M&T’s experienced mortgage consultants will work with you to make homebuying easy and affordable. We can help with any of these situations: • Little money for a downpayment • Little or “less-than-perfect” credit history • A recent job change So raise the green flag, and know M&T is here to help. To get started, call 716-848-4848 or visit mtb.com.
H
Certain restrictions apply. Subject to credit and property approval. ©2012 M&T Bank. 3.25x6”-Challenger-C-AD1478
16
ChallengerCN.com
• JUNE 6, 2012 Challenger Community News •